The Gulf Initiative, while only partially solving the conflict, gave the President of Yemen carte blanche immunity. It also allowed men who aided and abetted him in oppressing the Yemeni nation for three decades to continue to hold the same sensitive positions they previously held.

Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that our charitable efforts are turning the corner for women globally. There have been certain advances, but with the trend for affluent nations cutting back on development dollars, any gains might be lost due to a lack of international investment in the state of women.

Diplomats, like all humans, develop trust and even friendship, which can be used or abused to influence opinions and hence decisions in politics. It is to his credit that Dr. Al-Qirbi has been such an effective ambassador for Ali Abdulla Saleh. But it is equally to the misfortune and detriment of the Yemeni nation.